System and apparatus for selective photographing



April 29, 1952 R. R. SHAW SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHING 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 24, 1950 INVENTOR R.R.SHAW

ATTORNEY R. R. SHAW April 29, 1952 SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHING Filed A ril 24, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR R R S H AW ATTORNEY |llllllllllllllliih.-.-.'

R. R. SHAW 2,594,358

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SYSTEMAND APPARATUSFOR SELECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHING FiledApril 24, 1950 6Sheets-Sheet5 O i)? 9293mm o QQQQQ z rO ouiozomq'. Q omco' 7 3 INVENTOR ooooo 3R.R.$HAW QLLOIOED BY ,(M-WAW ATTORNEY April 29, 1952 R. R. SHAW 2,594,358

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHING Filed April 24, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 6 R.R.SHAW

BY 1am I ATTORNEY INVENTOR I Patented Apr. 29, 1952 SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHING Ralph R. Shaw, Washington, D. 0., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture Application April 24, 1950, Serial No. 157,839

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 1 Claim.

The invention herein described may be manu factured and used by or for the Govermnent of the United States of America for governmental purposes throughout the world, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for preparing a microfilm record having an intelligence track, comprising a series of intelligence frames, and having a code track provided with a multiple set of codes calling for, or corresponding to, the same intelligence frame. also relates to a system for selectively photographing intelligence frames, or subjects, called out by a selector mask plate, or film, presenting the code corresponding to the selected subject.

Heretofore the design of electronic selectors permitted the provision of only one code for each intelligence abstract or frame, because the abstract had to be positioned under the lens of the stroboscopic camera at the instant that the corresponding code actuated the light flash. It was not possible to provide multiple sets or sections of codes for each intelligence frame or abstract because the abstract would not generally be centered in position under the lens when the code areas flashed the light. For example, where six sections of code are provided for and correspond to the same abstract, anyone of which code sectlons might actuate the flash lamp, the flash could occur with the abstract located in any one of six positions.

The selector system is designed to call out or photograph a micro-subject frame when any one of the six code sections of the code frame corre sponding to the said subject frame is reached. To do this, and at the same time to provide for proper positioning and centering, at the copying lens, of the subject frame called for by the selector, is the problem involved here. This is accomplished by providing a triggering dot for each code frame. Two opaque triggering dots are shown, in order that the film may be run in either direction.

When any one of the six code sections of a frame corresponds to a selector mask it energizes the triggering dot photocell operated circuit. When the opaque triggering dot of that frame intercepts the light to the triggering dot photocell, the copying light is made to flash. Since the copying light is flashed only by the triggering dot, the frame is always centered under the copying lens at the instant of flash no matter which one of the six code sections of the frame calls for the picture.

One form of the invention is illustrated in the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic or diagrammatic view of the apparatus;

Figure 2 is a face view of an apparatus embody- 2 ing the principles of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates the single subject selector code mask;

Figure 4 is the amplifying circuit of the trigger dot photocell;

Figure 5 is the amplifying circuit of the photocell aifected by the light rays that pass through the code film and selector mask;

Figure 6 is the multivibrator circuit actuated by the sequential signals of both photocell circuits;

Figure 7 is a magnified view of the microfilm record to be run through the selector;

Figure 8 is an assembly view of an apparatus for photographing subjects and corresponding code on a film, to make the microfilm record of Figure 7.

The microfilm record I, shown in enlarged detail in Figure 7, is mounted by reels 2 and 3. The film I passes under steady light 4, the light from which casts the image of the opaque code dots 5 upon reflecting mirror 8 and thence upon single subject selector mask I. If the arrangement of the light opaque dots of any one of the six code sections should match or coincide with the arrangement of light openings 8 on the single subject selector mask 1, shown in detail in Figure 3, no light will pass through openings 8. Consequently, condensing lens 9 will have no light rays to converge upon photoelectric cell ii). A bank of cells can be employed at ID to provide a stronger signal. When cell Ill is thus de-energized, the amplifier unit I I is energized and conveys an amplified signal to single shot multivibrator 2. The multivibrator does not set in motion the copying system until it receives a signal from th trigger dot. j

The light from steady light Ii casts the image of the opaque trigger dot upon small spot refiector I2, which reflects the image of the opaque dot upwardly to the left to the trigger dot photoelectric cell I3. When the trigger dot reaches a predetermined position its shadow falls upon the cell I3. No light or insufficient light passes into cell I3, the reflector I2 being so pre-adjusted. Upon de-energizing of the cell I3, an amplified signal is transmitted from the amplifier unit I4 to the multivibrator 2. The latter actuates the copying flash lamp I5 and the advancing of the recording or copying film I50.

Any conventional mechanism for intermittently advancing the copying film can be employed. For example, torque is applied by a spring (not shown) to shaft I6. The shaft carries ratchet wheel II. Pawl I8 normally engages a tooth of wheel I! to hold the shaft in place. When the film is to be advanced, solenoid H0 is energized by the lamp flashing circuit, prior to flashing the lamp. The solenoid temporarily disenzages the trigger dot photocell.

pawl from the wheel l1, whereupon the said spring moves the film forward one step.

As shown in Figure '7, the microfilm record I comprises a series of' subject abstract frame I!) along the right edge of the film and a series of code frames 20 along the left edge. Each. code frame 20 does not necessarily correspond to the adjacent abstract frame. In fact, it is preferred that each code frame 20 correspond to the subject frame that is about ten frames removed from the corresponding code frame.

Each code frame comprises a number of code sections. Each code section comprises two rows of the opaque code dots 5 extending transversely to the length of the film. The opaque code dots are in a translucent field. The subject frame It comprises translucent printed matter in an opaque field.

'The'selection mask (Figure 3) presents a light opaque field 240 having light passage openings 8. The light from the steady light source passes through the transparent field of the code frames and then through the light openings of the selection mask. The photocell It is normally energized, the light normally passing through being suflicient to accomplish this. As stated above,

when the code on the'selectionmask is the same as on a code frame section, the opaque dots of the latter intercept all of the light rays that would normally pass through the openings in the selection mask. The photocell Iii is thereforedeenergized. This is not permitted to operate the flash bulb. This is done by the opaque triggering dot. 40, the rearward trigger dot, in the running direction of the microfilm in the selector apparatus. The forward trigger dot ll has no efifect on the flash bulb because none of the six code sections has, at that stage, actuated the initial signal.

The light from the flash lamp [5 passes upwardly through the intelligence. or subject frame enlargement. lens '16 images the intelligence. section onto the copying film. In Figure 2, the copyin'g lens is in casing I60. The copying film is in housing [51.

Any system of high speed photography can be employed. The use of brilliant flashes of light of a few microseconds duration is common, see pages 464-466 of Industrial Electronics and Control'by Kloefiier, John Wiley & Sons, N. Y. 1949. However, high speed photography systems employing continuous light may be used, where provision is made for use of a high-speed shutter of vibrator of Figure 6. Trigger circuits and multi- 'vibrators for such purposes are described in textbooks and patents, and are generally known to electronic engineers. See for example, ElectronicsExperimental Techniques-Elmore and Sands, McGraw-Hill, 1949, lst edition, pages 78 'to 92 and 334. Note also U. S. Patents 2,492,736

and 2,499,613. The invention is not limited to any particular type of electronic control. A general feature of the multivibrator circuit is the possibility of applying a small outside potential to one of the. grids to assist in holding the oscillation frequency in step with the external signal.

Then, as the signal from photocell it permits "on the record film to copying film [59. A copying a the grid of the controlled tube to come near the critical voltage, the small additional voltage from the external signal of trigger photocell l3 will cause the tube to trip at the correct time and, through the conventional strobotron (not shown) operate the copying flash lamp circuit and the camera trigger.

The electrical elements of Figures 4, 5, and 6 are conventionally symbolized. In Figure 4 is shown an amplifier for photocell 13 including a pentode I and two 12AX7 triodes l0! and I02. The output plug D is connected to the upper plug D of Figure 6. In Figure 5 is shown an amplifier for photocell Ill; the output D1 of this circuit is connected to lower plug D1 of Figure 6. In Figure 6, the triodes Hi3 and I04 are the 67N7 tubes. Element [65 is a rectifier. The voltages are direct current.

Figure 21s a detailed view of a machine embodying the principles illustrated in Figure l. The main elements are the same. The camera is at I5l, the copying flash lamp at I5. The light from the steady lamp is projected downwardly through the record film and projector to the mirror 6 and the deflector I'Z as stated above. A hinged gate 22,v pivoted at 23. to be moved: toward the viewer, is provided with vertical rollers 24 to accurately position the film. Rollers 24 are adjustable toward and away from the film. In addition to two stationary rollers 26 and 27, a vertically adjustable roller 28 is provided to. take up slack equal in length to the distance between the two trigger dots ii! and 41 that call for the same subject frame. Whether in forward motion or reverse, the straight-line path or distance between the subject frame being photographed and the trigger dot that actuates this photographing is therefore the same. The trigger dot doing the actuating is in one pre-determined position with respect to the constant light lamp, the spot reflector, and its corresponding subject frame, in forward andreverse movement of therecord film.

The vertically adjustable roller 28 is mounted upon vertical slide 29, which is moved up and down by manual lever 36, through spring 3|, and crank 32; or by any other convenient mechanical device.

In Figure 2 the selector mask or card 1- is supported on the hinged plate 16. Condenser lens 9 focuses the light rays upon the photoelectric cell It].

In Figure 8 is shown an apparatus for preparing the record film. The subject being photographed is at 80. The camera head 8|, thetwo objective lenses 82 and 83, the mirror reflector 8 3, and the code light bank 85 are mounted upon standard 86 for movement as, a rigid unitupwardly and downwardly by chain 87. In thi way, the subject being photographed through the lens may be brought into focus by moving the camera head, without affecting the degree of" reduction of the code dots on the light bank. The code dots appearing on the. record film must be accurately positioned and the degree of reduction in size absolutely consistent. This apparatus obviates the necessity for special preparation of the copy for'filrning. It copies a wide range of sizes of page, without variation in size of code dots and in the relative position of the trigger dots.

The light bank presents a set of squares that are lit up by operation of the electrical selector keyboard, j

This keyboard selector 88 is oldand is not part of this invention. Obviously the code light bank is here the equivalent of a punch card with an illuminating lamp to project light through the card to the reflector 84, or directly from the card to the lens. Element 85 i here representative also of a punch card holder and light source, the punch card being held in place at 855.

By using two or more preselectors masks arranged in sequence in the direction of the record film, each actuating the next preselector, the triggering dots can be used to actuate the preselectors, and finally, if all of the preselectors have been actuated, to flash the camera. For example, assume the first preselector is set for Illinois, the second for agriculture, the third for research. The first preselector will scan all six areas. If the code for Illinois appeared, the triggering dot would actuate the second pre-selector. The second preselector would scan all six areas and if the code for agriculture appeared the triggering dot would actuate the third preselector. If the code for research appeared, as the code area passed the third preselector, the triggering dot would operate the flash camera. If any of the elements did not appear, the abstract would pass through without being copied.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to use of electronic controls. Where very high speed operation is not required, a conventional electrical switch having a dual control operated solenoid actuated by both photocells, may be used.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

An apparatus for selectively photographing the subject matter presented in a microfilm record, the microfilm presenting a longitudinal series of subject frames and a longitudinal series of code frames providing a code frame for each subject frame, each code frame having at least two code sections, each code section comprising at least one transverse line of opaque code dots on a transparent field, and an opaque trigger dot for each code frame, the subject frame corresponding to a code frame being longitudinally ofi-set therefrom by at least one code frame, comprising: means for mounting the film for longitudinal movement, a light ray source positioned to pass rays through th code frame area of the film, a selector mask for intercepting these rays, the selector mask having code subject light openings on an opaque field, the mask intercepting the rays when the arrangement of these openings coincides with the opaque dot of a code section, a photocell positioned to receive and be energized by any rays passing through the selector mask; the rays from the light ray source also passing through the transparent field about the trigger dots, and a second photocell in position to be de-energized when the image of an opaque trigger dot falls upon it, means actuated by this sequential operation of the photocells to actuate a copying means for the subject frame selected by the selector mask, two longitudinally spaced opaque trigger dots being provided for each code frame, the copying means including a copying light longitudinally off-set from the first light ray source, the distance between the two lights being fixed, and roller means adjustable to lengthen or shorten the path of the film between the lights by a distance equal to the off-set between a code frame and the subject frame corresponding thereto.

RALPH R. SHAW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,251,998 Goodale Aug. 12, 1941 2,358,051 Broido Sept. 12, 1944 

